‘I’ve done my job’: Lead prosecutor leaves Syed Saddiq’s fate to Federal Court
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — “I have done my job to the best of my ability in the pursuit of justice. I leave any decision to the court.”
That was the response from deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, who led the prosecution, when asked to comment on the final appeal involving Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Berita Harian reported today.
On June 25 last year, the Court of Appeal acquitted Syed Saddiq, 33, after allowing his appeal to overturn his conviction and seven-year jail sentence, two strokes of the cane and a RM10 million fine imposed by the High Court on November 9, 2023.
The conviction involved charges of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and money laundering linked to funds from Bersatu’s youth wing, Armada.
On December 12 last year, in an unusual development, a three-judge Federal Court panel directed the prosecution to consult and state its position on the final appeal.
The panel, chaired by Court of Appeal president Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, allowed time for the prosecution to reconsider its appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision that had acquitted Syed Saddiq of four charges involving misappropriation of funds.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court gave a week for both parties to reflect and determine whether they still believed the appeal should proceed or be withdrawn.
The Federal Court also included judges Datuk Che Mohd Ruzima Ghazali and Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Five days later, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) instructed the prosecution to proceed with the appeal. Wan Shaharuddin conveyed the instruction in a letter to the deputy registrar of the Federal Court.
The letter stated that the appellant (prosecution) had sought the views and instructions of the Attorney General, Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, on the matter.
It further confirmed that the Attorney General had directed the appeal to proceed and that whatever decision the court makes will be accepted, with the prosecution maintaining its written and oral submissions.
The final outcome of the case will be decided this Tuesday when the Federal Court in Putrajaya sits again to deliver its judgment.
The ruling will determine whether Syed Saddiq remains free if the appeal is dismissed, or faces imprisonment if the prosecution succeeds.
Syed Saddiq is accused of abetting former Armada assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim Razali in criminal breach of trust involving RM1 million at CIMB Bank Berhad, KL Sentral on March 6, 2020, under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail, whipping and a fine.
He also faces a charge of misappropriating RM120,000 belonging to Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise under Section 403 of the Penal Code.
In addition, he is accused of two counts of money laundering involving RM50,000 transferred into his Amanah Saham Bumiputera account.
The charges fall under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ jail and a fine of up to five times the amount involved.
